McGee: Saratoga early pick five for Sunday, Aug. 19, 2018

Looking to leverage firm opinions in three of the first five races Sunday, I’ll hook up three singles while hoping for prices in the other two legs of the early pick five at Saratoga.

Race 1: Their last meeting in a July 27 off-the-turf route resulted in a one-sided triumph from Saida (8) as Miss Aja Brown (5) labored home a pole behind, and now it looks as if they’re the primary speed in their rematch. Even if Aja guns early, Lezcano should be able to rate Saida off her, and the end game might well turn out the same.

Race 2: Looks like Asdaaf (1) has a lot going for him: pedigree, works, connections, and, perhaps most importantly, what appears to be a subpar set of opponents to make his debut. There’s a reason he’s the morning-line favorite.

:: Wager on the early pick five at Saratoga with DRF Bets

Race 3: I’ll use almost all of these turf-sprinting maidens when trying to get a longshot home, with only the Nos. 3 and 4 being tossed from the main body (assumes turf goes and the AE doesn’t draw in).

Race 4: Awestruck (1) really turned the corner for Rusty Arnold over the winter, didn’t she? She’ll be taking no prisoners after Irad sends her to the lead from her rail slot and dares any to look her in the eye.

Race 5: If I’m lucky enough to be alive, I’ll be taking no chances of wasting all these winners by using an all-burger to close it out (assumes turf goes and no AEs draw in).

Here’s the straight-A ticket in DRF TicketMaker:

R1: 8
R2: 1
R3: 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
R4: 1
R5: 1-10
50-cent ticket = $40